Safety Starts at the Top Act would ensure aerospace manufacturers prioritize safety over profits
Washington (April 2, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today introduced the Safety Starts at the Top Act, legislation that would require large aerospace manufacturers to include two labor representatives and two safety experts on their boards of directors. The legislation comes in response to concerns that Boeing has prioritized profits over safety and failed to consider the views of its workforce in critical engineering decisions.
“For years, Boeing has prioritized financial engineering over mechanical engineering, undermining the company’s safety culture. It's time for that to change,” said Senator Markey. “Without input from the workers on the factory floor every day, Boeing is flying blind. By requiring Boeing’s Board to include worker and safety representatives, the Safety Starts at the Top Act will ensure that Boeing listens to the professionals who know safety best.”
“IAM 751 appreciates and supports this proposed legislation and if passed would ensure that workers voices are heard at the highest levels when decisions impacting aerospace manufacturing and safety are being discussed and implemented,” said Jon Holden, President & Directing Business Representative for the International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 751.
“SPEEA applauds Senator Markey for introducing the Safety Starts at the Top Act and we look forward to working towards its enactment. This bill invests in our nation’s aerospace engineering and manufacturing leadership by making sure the leading aerospace firms are committed to building a safety culture, continuing to improve product quality, and reestablishing effective communication between the bridge and the engine room. With the Safety Starts at the Top Act, business decisions at these firms will be made with input from the men and women who design and build the greatest aerospace products in the world,” said John Dimas, President of Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (SPEEA, IFPTE) Local 2001.
Senator Markey has long called for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and companies such as Boeing to be held accountable for their actions that undermine aviation safety. Last month, Senator Markey wrote a letter to Chris Rocheleau, Acting FAA Administrator, with questions about the FAA’s recent decision to deploy three Starlink terminals from Elon Musk’s SpaceX. In January 2024, Senator Markey, along with then Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), sent a letter to Boeing's then-CEO David Calhoun about the company’s manufacturing quality control and oversight of contractors.
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